TN: Tennessee schools may soon require less red tape to remove students with disabilities from classrooms

by kids1stadvocac | Jul 15, 2025 | State

WPLN News It may soon be easier for Tennessee schools to remove students with disabilities from classrooms. But advocates worry the removals may be overused and make behavioral assessments of these students less effective. The Tennessee Board of Education is...

VA: Report outlines challenges of Va.’s special education compliance system, recommends improvements

by kids1stadvocac | Jul 15, 2025 | State

Virginia Mercury After years of inconsistencies and complaints, Virginia has moved closer to revising its process for reporting issues with special education services, aiming to improve the structure and ensure that families receive the necessary services for their...

MD: Work group tries to make sure special education students aren’t forgotten in education reform

by kids1stadvocac | Jul 1, 2025 | State

Maryland Matters The Maryland State Board of Education unanimously accepted final recommendations of a 58-member Blueprint special education work group Tuesday aimed at ensuring students with disabilities aren’t forgotten in the state’s multibillion-dollar education...

NJ: Gopal bill to reform school funding and special education support passes

by kids1stadvocac | Jul 1, 2025 | State

Insider NJ The Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal to reform New Jersey’s school funding system and enhance support for special education services. The bill, S-3917, makes targeted changes to the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA), strengthens...

TX: Lawmakers failed kids with disabilities, advocates say

by kids1stadvocac | Jun 24, 2025 | State

The Texas Tribune Texas lawmakers this year added $100 million to a scholarship fund to help families across the state pay for early child care, an extraordinary investment that may ease a waitlist to help thousands of children. However, advocates say legislators fell...